I am a dirty reservist ( but am pretty active) so take that for what it's worth. I came into the AF with a non Science Bachelors and started prereqs on a deployment. I came back and hammered out school full time at the local community college and PJ requirements part time over the next year. I finished my CASPA application before going overseas again and completed my last outstanding course in the sandbox with the blessing of my professors. I also had my first kid and moved houses during this whole process. It is all totally doable, you just have to find a flexible community college and time manage well. Best of luck, pm me if I can help in any way. I start in January so I cant speak to the difficulty nor I go through SOCM.

I'm all about carrying at the workplace, but there are a lot of rescue randys and folks who have unrealistic expectations of how violent encounters unfold. If you aren't 100% ok with pulling the trigger in a dynamic and violent situation and dont have the requisite training to feel comfortable doing so, you shouldn't carry. Having a weapon doesnt give you the upper hand in the workplace it puts you at a disadvantage most the time eg. (being disarmed). You are assuming a great responsibility, exposing yourself to extensive legal and physical liability. My biggest worry about avg Joe's carrying in public, work, ect is them inflicting more harm in an encounter than good. Poor weapons discipline and lack of situational awareness happens to most people handling weapons on a static one way range. Its alot different when it becomes a two way range and bullets are coming back at you. All that being said your average security guard has very little training and probably wants to make it home from their low paying job. So it all comes down to training, personal preparedness and a willingness to act when something occurs.

Indoc grad 12-01, PJU Grad 13-03, admitted to North Greenville University Class #2. I'll remain a reservist throughout the adventure. Several of my teammates are practicing PAs and Reservist PJ's, I'm sure they moonlight here on the forums every now and then.

Thank you all for your service to our country. Air Force PJ since 2011, in the CASPA application process currently. Looking to stay on as a reservist through the PA school adventure. At some point I may decide to commission into the guard or reserve as a PA to finish out my 20. I wish you all the best.

For those of you who have filed for VA compensation then subsequently applied for vocational rehab (chapter 31 benefits), how long did the process take? I am still a reserve PJ and have taken my bumps and bruises over the last six years. I am not broken like some of my brothers but I do believe I might rate at 10% or higher which would leave me eligible for Chapter 31. I am deploying soon and will return this fall, matriculating in January to PA school. Knowing the speed the VA moves would it be possible to work with a Veteran Service Organization (VSO) while overseas to get the ball rolling, knocking out my claim and filing before January or is it a complete pipedream?

I am applying this cycle to multilple PA programs. I've looked at old threads and know this has been an issue for others in the past. I hold my NREMT-P cert which I cannot let go due to my DOD obligations. If I am accepted, my recert window will fall sometime during the clinical year. Has anyone's found success with their program or medical director to have the didactic year satisfy requirements?